On this day in 2004 my lovely Dad died after seventeen days in the hospice, very special days that I was able to spend with him. I’ve posted about him before but never about the days before I was on the scene. The following photos are some of those he sent home to my Mum.
They had been on their way to South Africa but because of U-boat activity, were re-routed to Nova Scotia. By January 1942 they had arrived in South Africa.
Makoalis, Basutoland January 1942
The last one is of Dad with one of his beloved Burmese cats, a favourite of mine.
Dad with Shoshone
commonprose
December 26, 2020 at 5:46 pm
The handsomest man in Europe, for sure! Thanks for posting these early photos.<3
mybeautfulthings
December 26, 2020 at 6:57 pm
Indeed! 🙂
Dad, it's Liam
December 26, 2020 at 9:39 am
He looks very spiffy in his military uniform 👍
mybeautfulthings
December 26, 2020 at 1:11 pm
Yes, he does! 🙂
nrhatch
December 20, 2020 at 1:47 pm
The absence of parents is keenly felt this time of year.
If only we could resurrect the ghosts of Christmas past for the duration of the holidays . . .
mybeautfulthings
December 20, 2020 at 4:51 pm
What an excellent idea….. They are with us in spirit. 🙂
ladysighs
December 18, 2020 at 4:31 pm
Reminds me of pictures of my father. Dressed in a uniform of a different country. But all on the same side. Members of the Greatest Generation.
mybeautfulthings
December 20, 2020 at 4:51 pm
You’re right. 🙂
utesmile
December 18, 2020 at 7:03 am
How wonderful to see these pictures. My dad went to Africa too under Rommel. He was though a POW in 1942 in Trinidad and California after that. I don’t have pictures of him like that but pressed flowers he sent to his parents and some letters. It is so lovely to look back with a warm heart.
mybeautfulthings
December 20, 2020 at 4:54 pm
How lovely to have pressed flowers and letters. Mum and Dad wrote every day for the 5 years he was away but we have none of those. POW in Trinidad – glad he survived that. They saw some countries didn’t they? 🙂
utesmile
December 20, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Yes they did, but in the circumstance not quite wanted. My dad was picking Oranges in California too, he said and he was treated well there.
beth
December 18, 2020 at 12:36 am
<3
mybeautfulthings
December 20, 2020 at 4:13 pm
Thank you. xx
chmjr2
December 17, 2020 at 11:51 pm
Very nice photographs. A family treasure for sure.
mybeautfulthings
December 20, 2020 at 4:13 pm
Thank you, yes, a little pile of treasure. 🙂
Kathryn Smith
December 17, 2020 at 11:16 pm
Lovely photos! My dad died on Christmas day 2012. He loved Christmas and so I try to honour him by still loving it too! Your dad looked like a serious man, but still full of fun! Bless you both xxx
mybeautfulthings
December 20, 2020 at 4:13 pm
he was both as you say! Enjoy your Christmas in your dad’s memory. Remember your time together with joy. 🙂
Crystal Byers
December 17, 2020 at 10:57 pm
Lovely photos of your dad. Today is my mother’s tenth day to be home for hospice care.
mybeautfulthings
December 20, 2020 at 4:12 pm
Thank you. Love to you and your Mum too. The hospice was a very good place to be for my Dad and they looked after me too. I hope things go well for your Mum. xx
Ruth F May
December 17, 2020 at 10:24 pm
What a sweet guy and didn’t he look so handsome in his suit there. I’m sorry for the loss of your lovely dad.
mybeautfulthings
December 20, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Thank you. Yes, he was very handsome as a young man and throughout his life. 🙂